Summary:Produced by Dan Carey, the six-track EP from the indie band includes five unreleased songs that were first performed during the British quartet's 2013 tour.
Record Label:Frenchkiss Records
Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
The Nextwave Sessions is five tracks from a band who’ve etched their mark on the UK music scene, stretching their sound whilst still occasionally snapping back to what made them so appealing eight years ago.
The Nextwave Sessions EP careers wildly between moods and atmospheres, and sounds like a band happy to let go and experiment because they’re comfortable with who they are.
As it should, The Nextwave Sessions delivers on the mentality of quality over quantity. The EP offers five respectable new songs from the British indie rockers.
By default, Nextwave is less scattered and more consistent: It’s only five songs. But “Ratchet” indicates that Bloc Party could’ve gone way further off the grid if they gave themselves enough time.
Eight years after their debut, this is still the sound of an adolescent band that, despite its persistence in tackling adult topics, hasn't yet found a way of approaching them in an adult manner.
If you’ve been waiting for Bloc Party to branch out, expect The Nextwave Sessions to disappoint. Most reductively and most accurately, The Nextwave Sessions are merely five more Bloc Party songs.
‘Ratchet’ sets a fairly hedonistic tone, only for things to immediately lock down.... It all makes for an intriguing opening, two sides of Bloc Party on display in addition to their strengths and weaknesses. How curious, then, that the Nextwave Sessions immediately switches the focus to that Sessions bit, ushering in a strangely repetitive run of glorified demos.
A Solid set of songs I like all of them and put them on when I need some variety. Here's to hoping that Another Weekend in The City becomes aA Solid set of songs I like all of them and put them on when I need some variety. Here's to hoping that Another Weekend in The City becomes a reality because those b-side songs are better or on par.…Expand
Generally very good songs, with the exception of children of the future which is average. Ratchet is a fantastic song with a great beat to it,Generally very good songs, with the exception of children of the future which is average. Ratchet is a fantastic song with a great beat to it, something the rest of the album struggles to beat. There are mood swings between songs with some songs upbeat and others a bit dreary.…Expand
With most critics saying that there is nothing new to hear here, The Nextwave Sessions is remarkably well rounded for an EP and referencesWith most critics saying that there is nothing new to hear here, The Nextwave Sessions is remarkably well rounded for an EP and references much of what the band are good at. Admittedly there is no hardcore experimentation Four-style here. But there is a bit of everything else. 'Ratchet' is upbeat and clubby, 'Obscene' is a tender, synthy moment, 'French Exit' has a Silent Alarm feel to it with lyrics that would have fit well on Intimacy, 'Montreal' sounds like a sequel to 'Compliments' and 'Children Are The Future', whilst having admittedly corny lyrics, has such an upbeat vibe that you don't mind. It also perfectly rounds out the EP. This feels like more of an album than an EP. It's a solid offering from the band.…Expand
I think the band were right not to include any of the material from "The Nextwave Sessions" on "4". While the bands most disappointing releaseI think the band were right not to include any of the material from "The Nextwave Sessions" on "4". While the bands most disappointing release to date, "4" is still well worth getting a hold of. The material on this EP "The Nextwave Sessions" would for the most part struggle to get onto this album. Opener "Ratchet" is reminiscent of the bands third album "Intimacy" and would probably fit in somewhere there. "Obscene" trudges along without going anywhere in particular. "French Exit" is another good Bloc Party tune and sounds like something left behind from "Silent Alarm". This along with "Ratchet" would make a case to appear on past Bloc Party releases but outside of that the rest of this EP is underwhelming by the standards set by the band.…Expand
' A song about inspiring future generations sounds a bithttp://osianlewis.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/bloc-party-next-wave-sessions-review.html
' A song about inspiring future generations sounds a bit premature for a band who are barely in their thirties. I hope this isn't a hint that this is a hiatus they're not coming back from. 'The Next Wave Sessions EP' is a mediocre showing from a band that are capable of great heights as they have proven many times before. 6/10'…Expand
Each of Bloc Party's first three albums has had a triumphant and spectacular change it style. It is not always to the listeners tastes, butEach of Bloc Party's first three albums has had a triumphant and spectacular change it style. It is not always to the listeners tastes, but that is because each album served to alienate the expectations of the next. The content of these albums however was always fantastic, and within the mood they aimed to create, they did it like few others could. Four, while a solid effort, was somewhat less inspired, instead it seems to be Silent Alarm and A Weekend in the City B-Side material. Don't get me wrong, Bloc Party b-sides have always been great, but the album as a whole sees no peak, or real consistent style. The same can be said for The Nextwave Sessions. The EP is basically a bunch of songs that sound like they could belong on Four. Not because the style is identical, but because it shares Four's characteristic of not really having a style. They don't complement each other, and they don't truly connect with you like their previous effort have. However, even if uneventful, the music is at least consistent. Bloc Party haven't sunk into making complete duds as of yet.…Expand
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